GJSentinel.com ready for parade

Two of the Daily Sentinel’s own took a break from newspaper duties to serve as Santa’s helpers Friday afternoon.

Richie Ann Ashcraft, web content manager, and Rachel Sauer, features reporter, dedicated hours of sweat and Christmas spirit to create a float for the 29th Annual Parade of Lights taking place Saturday.

“It was our first time making a float, and we didn’t even have help,” said Ashcraft. “People doubted us, but we made a pretty sweet float.”

The dynamic duo spent hours searching for the perfect decorations to spice up the Mojo car, scavenging through stores like Hobby Lobby and Lowe’s. The car features newspaper boxes atop the custom wrapped car, covered with rope lights and ribbons.

“We were working off a $100 budget, so we were pretty limited, but we managed,” said Sauer, “We bought just about every battery light at Lowe’s and made the car glittery.”

The Rachel and Richie Project is a great way to bring fun to the office while promoting The Daily Sentinel, deemed as Santa’s source for who has been naughty and nice since 1893. Sauer will drive the float through the parade, while tossing out candy to the children in attendance.

“It’s an honor to drive the Mojo car,” said Sauer, “We like to think we deliver news faster than Santa delivers presents.”

Ashcraft and Sauer realize the importance of supplying appropriate parade candy. Too often candy ends up shattering on the sidewalks, leaving children with broken lollipops or crushed candy canes. The pair made sure to buy unbreakable candy, including Twizzlers and various gummies.

“Even if we don’t have the best float, we definitely got the best candy,” said Ashcraft.

Another upside to softer, unbreakable candy is that it eliminates any chance of Sauer causing harm to children if she happens to hit them with the candy, which would be devastating to the goal of spreading holiday cheer.

“We also bought chocolate to toss out to the kids along with the candy, but the chocolate probably won’t even reach the kids with Rachel in charge,” said Ashcraft.

Due to a late entry, the Daily Sentinel float will be towards the end of the parade that will feature more than 100 floats. The parade starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and will pass through downtown on Main Street.